Visit Victoria's Diamonds sponsorship a financial lifeline for Netball Australia

Netball Australia’s ongoing financial crisis looks to be over with the Victorian Government committing the $15 million for its Visit Victoria tourism brand to join as a major partner for the sport and a platinum partner of the Australian Diamonds.

Replacing sponsorship money recently pulled from the sport’s elite program by Hancock Prospecting amid considerable controversy, the partnership, due to commence from 2023, will see Victoria host at least one Diamonds test match per year for the next five years, as the world’s number one ranked netball team builds towards major events including the 2023 Netball World Cup and Victorian 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Victoria will also be the host state for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final - the second year of the league’s new Grand Final format, with a predetermined venue to be locked in ahead of each season.

Visit Victoria branding will also feature on the Diamonds’ uniforms.

Announcing the sponsorship, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos stated “this ground-breaking partnership with the Diamonds will allow us to further showcase why we do sport better than anywhere else in Australia.”

Welcoming Visit Victoria as a major partner, Netball Australia Chief Executive, Kelly Ryan noted “Victoria is a proud sporting state and we are delighted to announce a new partnership with Visit Victoria.

“The partnership will guarantee Victorians the opportunity to experience more netball across the next five years.

“This investment will benefit all levels of netball - from our pathway system to the Suncorp Super Netball League and the Origin Australian Diamonds.”

Diamonds Captain Liz Watson also welcomed the sponsorship, adding “this is a significant partnership for the Origin Australian Diamonds as we prepare to defend our Commonwealth Games gold medal in Victoria in 2026.

“Visit Victoria is a proud supporter of netball and this investment will benefit all levels of our game.”